Dancing with Death and other Monticello adventures

Easter weekend brought many events all at once. Mom flew in on Thursday night (after some unfortunate delays!) to stay for the weekend while Jeremy and I took the weekend to head to Monticello and find us a home.

We left early Friday morning to begin the 12-hour, 3-hop journey to our soon-to-be home. One could be surprised that this journey could take so long, however one must remember that when you involve 3 separate flights, things can get a bit lengthy! From Corpus to Dallas, Dallas to Denver, Denver to Cortez, Colorado then just a quick one hour drive to Monticello Utah. No problem (inside my head I am hearing the voice of Wesley on the Princess Bride).

Jeremy and I both grew up in in Utah. Through almost 14 years of living in various locales we have always called Utah home. Our children who have NEVER lived in Utah, call Utah "home." Given all this, shame on us for forgetting that as lovely as this grand state can be, early April is NOT the time of splendor. The steel gray sky, barren tree branches, hues of yellow and brown dead grasses, and damp drizzly sleet provided a less-than glorious welcome to our new roost.

With only a slight dampening of spirits we headed out to see 7 of the 9 homes available in town. For months (long before the official call to move came) we have watched the homes on the Internet, talked long into the night hours about the possibilities of each, discussed ways to renovate some that needed a little TLC, and how to make sure we can sell each one when we leave. So much discussion that I have recently banned it from the house until we could just go see the houses once and for all.

Finally, we could add the critical pieces to the final choice! As we moved from house to house I think I saw the panic in our eyes. This is a situation where neither one of us wanted to get negative, after all, we had made this choice together and felt very good about it. By the time we left the 7th house, we were questioning where that "good feeling" had originated!


After a tense, restless night that saw us both fully awake at 5:30 am and braving the snow to get breakfast, we set out to see the 2 remaining houses. The first did not quite capture the imagination, but the second was a breath of fresh air. I think it took us about 3 minutes to decide it would be ours, oh yes, it would be ours. It just happens that way sometimes.

The sellers quickly accepted our offer and we spent the rest of our evening enjoying the company of some good friends and our first taste of buffalo steak. No wrinkling noses if you have not tried it! I for one am a convert! Loved it. Perhaps it is just my body and mind getting ready for this prairie life I have before me.

Jeremy, as always, came prepared to take pictures of the houses and he dutifully carried our camera on every showing. However, in all the stress, distress, and excitement, we both forgot to take even ONE shot! Ouch.

Jer did snap a shot or two of the plane from Cortez. I leave you with that and your imagination will have to suffice for the rest.









By the way, yes, this is the entire airport waiting area. And on the plane, every seat is both and aisle and a window!

Is this the definition of trepidation? I knew we would be fine, in my head, but I think that my eyes and tight smile give me away a bit here.